Did you know that September is PCOS Awareness month? There are many events scheduled during the month to raise awareness and understanding of this hormonal disorder that affects between 7-10% of all women…
SEPTEMBER IS PCOS AWARENESS MONTH
PCOS awareness events include walks to raise awareness and funds for research; symposiums are scheduled in a variety of major cities to educate women and girls affected by the syndrome as well as medical/health professionals and the general public. Events will take place across the country and are designed to help those impacted by PCOS to become more proactive about their personal health situations. Participating in a local PCOS Awareness event will help those who are impacted to discover available resources and strategies to overcome symptoms and reduce the risk of other potentially life-threatening diseases.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women. Because so many cases of PCOS are never even diagnosed, there may be as many as one out of ten women who are impacted. PCOS symptoms often vary from woman to woman, so it can be tough to accurately diagnose this particular disorder.
PCOS is one of the most underserved, underdiagnosed, and underfunded conditions impacting women’s health today. While the majority of women have never even heard of PCOS, it is a critical endocrine disorder because it causes a wide variety of symptoms that often affect female reproductive health. Polycystic ovarian syndrome may cause critical long-term health consequences, therefore getting an accurate diagnosis, along with a proper treatment plan, is imperative.
WHAT IS POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME?
PCOS is a hormonal condition that can impact a woman’s appearance, hormones, blood vessels, menstrual cycle, ovulation, and ability to get pregnant. Most women with PCOS have a high level of androgens (steroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands), irregular or missed menstrual cycles, and many painless, small cysts in their ovaries.
ARE THERE OTHER SYMPTOMS RELATED TO PCOS?
Not all women with PCOS experience the same symptoms. The following is a list of other potential symptoms:
- A condition called hirsutism; excess hair growth on the face, chest, back, stomach, thumbs, and toes
- Patches of dark or thickened skin on the neck, arms, thighs, or breasts
- Acne, dandruff, or oily skin
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning of hair
- Obesity or unexplained weight gain, with extra weight carried around the waist
- Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
- High blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
- Skin tags in the neck and armpit areas
- Pelvic pain
- Lipid abnormalities
If you have two or more of these symptoms, you should consider scheduling an appointment with a reproductive specialist as soon as possible.
WHO TYPICALLY GETS PCOS?
While there is no specific proof that PCOS is inherited, most researchers believe that PCOS runs in families. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with the same disorder.
The symptoms of PCOS most often begin with the onset of menstruation; symptoms, however, can begin early during preteen years or they can develop later during a woman’s childbearing years. PCOS is not as common among older women, especially those who are post-menopausal.
DOES PCOS CHANGE AT MENOPAUSE?
Because PCOS can impact so many systems in the body, many symptoms persist even though ovarian function and hormone levels change with menopause. Some of the consequences of PCOS, such as diabetes and lipid abnormalities, continue to be experienced long after menopause, while others, including excessive hair growth and male-pattern baldness, get worse after menopause. In addition, the risks of PCOS complications such as diabetes, heart attack, and stroke increase as a woman gets older.
HOW IS PCOS DIAGNOSED?
PCOS is not always easy to diagnose. Some doctors diagnose the condition solely based on the symptoms previously listed. A confirmed PCOS diagnosis, however, requires more than a simple determination of present symptoms. A reproductive specialist will order blood testing for a variety of different hormones. The hormones tested are produced by the ovaries as well as the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland. In addition, a reproductive specialist will perform a thorough physical exam; this will include checking blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist size. The doctor may also perform a pelvic exam to determine if the ovaries are enlarged or swollen and other lab tests may be ordered to check insulin, glucose, cholesterol, and tryglicerides.
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR WOMEN WITH PCOS?
Treatment of PCOS is determined by the symptoms experienced by each individual woman, as well as whether fertility is an issue. For women not interested in becoming pregnant, oral contraceptives are often used since they are usually effective for regulating menstrual cycles and reducing the level of male hormones. Oral contraceptives are also used to minimize the risks of uterine cancer.
Other treatments for the symptoms of PCOS may include:
- Fertility therapy with ovulation-inducing medications
- Lifestyle modifications for those who are overweight
- Anti-androgens
- Progestins (synthetic progesterones)
- Insulin-sensitizing anti-diabetes drugs
- GnRH analogs
- Surgical therapy
If you are experiencing two or more of the symptoms listed above, now is the time to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The fertility specialists and professional staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM) are well known for treating PCOS and for their high level of success in helping couples to conceive. CORM serves the greater southeast Texas area with three state-of-the-art fertility clinics located in Houston, Webster, and Beaumont. At CORM, our professional staff is committed to providing the highest quality reproductive medicine, ensuring exceptional care is given to every patient/couple undergoing fertility treatment.
If you are looking for more information regarding infertility or the psychological impact of infertility, be sure to call the professional staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine today. CORM serves the greater southeast area of Texas with full-service fertility clinics in Houston, Webster, and Beaumont; the professional staff at CORM uses the latest techniques and procedures to help patients achieve the gift of a new life. The reproductive specialists and experienced staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine understand the emotional toll that infertility takes on individuals and couples; they will work closely with you to help you find the emotional support that you need during your infertility journey.